The bill amends the Arkansas Code to update enhanced transportation funding for school districts for the 2023-2024 school year, replacing the previous funding year of 2021-2022. It specifies adjusted funding amounts for various districts, with notable changes such as the Cotter School District receiving $23,781 instead of $0, and the Hamburg School District's funding decreasing from $61,997 to $58,389. Additionally, new funding allocations are introduced for districts that previously received none, while certain funding amounts are deleted, including the Dollarway School District's previous allocation of $9,228. The bill declares an emergency to ensure timely implementation of these changes for the upcoming school year.
Furthermore, the bill proposes adjustments to funding allocations for the 2024-2025 school year, with some districts experiencing increases while others see reductions. For instance, the El Dorado School District's funding is reduced from $24,182 to $22,573, while the Strong-Huttig School District's funding increases from $50,677 to $64,043. The bill also includes new charter schools that will receive $0 in funding. An emergency clause emphasizes the state's obligation to provide adequate transportation funding, ensuring that school districts can budget effectively for the upcoming years. The act will take effect immediately upon approval by the Governor or if the Governor neither approves nor vetoes it within the designated timeframe.